toddcarruth.com

I don’t think of myself as the stereotypical male because I enjoy shopping (sometimes) and I enjoy cooking (when I have the time).  Um, I also like beer. And women.  But with a twist of lime. Oh, and the beer can have lime too.

Anyway, I came across this list of how to make the most of your grocery shopping adventure from the Consumerist who ganked it from the Guardian and I have added some personal notes to it.

1. Make A List! Shopping lists top every saving strategy we offer, and for good reason. Lists make for routine, disciplined shopping. -I make a list but then I still buy stuff that I forgot to put on the list.
2. Don’t Fear An Empty Fridge: Food grows mold, not interest. An empty fridge is a strong sign that your buying matches your consumption. - I actually tend to have a fairly empty fridge. Except for the leftover tuna that is now challenging the the chipotle hot sauce to a duel.
3. Approach Deals Skeptically: Just because an item screams “Two for One!” doesn’t mean that you need two. Make sure the item is something that you’ll use, and something that won’t expire quickly. - Great tip here. I’ve trained my self to look at the price per ounce before I buy a “deal.”
4. Avoid Supermarkets For Perishables: Buy your vegetables, meats, and fish at local establishments. You’ll spend less per visit, while honing your comparison shopping skills. In our neighborhood, the Korean vegetable stand is usually 30% cheaper than the supermarket around the corner. - Um, yeah. I think I’ll save my gas and just look for the freshest veggies I can find.
5. Buy Non-Perishables In Bulk: If you can store them, buy your pasta and rice in bulk. Just don’t try to buy more than one bag at a time. - I go to SAMS once a month and buy dog food, bacon, paper towels, toilet paper and contact solution.  Strangely enough, those are the same items that I plan on taking with me to a deserted island.
6. Buy Quality Products: Somewhat counterintuitive for those who focus exclusively on the bottom line, but if you pay more for a high-quality ingredient, you’re less likely to let it go to waste. - This can be tricky. Generic peanut butter is pretty much the same as Jif or Peter Pan but some products aren’t as good and you have to just learn from experience.
7. Grow Your Own Herbs And Salad: Herbs and salad expire quickly in the fridge. If you have the space, grow your own and save.- I tried growing some mint and cilantro earlier this summer. I got them confused and my burrito tasted like toothpaste.
8. Buy Whole Vegetables: Bagged lettuce? Washed carrots? Like any vegetable, they start to decompose as soon as they’re processed. - Another convenience versus practicality issue. Have you tried the bagged Salsa Salad mix?  It’s freakin awesome!
9. Be Storage Savvy: Keep your food fresh with proper storage. If you’re a fresh fruit lover, invest in an ethylene gas guardian to stave off spoilage. - A what? How about some generic Tupperware? I have some extra tops if anybody has any bowls.
10. Plan Your Meals: Planning is a key part of list building, and one of the best ways to prevent abandoned foodstuffs from clogging up your fridge. - I do try to think about what I am making for dinner this week.  Somehow frozen pizza always ends up on the list.
11. Cook! Don’t just follow recipes. Real cooks now how to whip that extra bit of coconut milk or leftover celery into a tasty meal. - What can I make from fuzzy 20 day filet mignon and black peaches? I know: Trash!
12. Cook In Bulk: Since you’re already at the stove, double the recipe and save the leftovers. - Actually, a pretty good idea. Whenever I grill I usually throw on an extra chicken.  And then slice it up for use in a salad.  I know, not that funny, but it’s the truth.

There are a few more items on the list but a lot of it is common sense, like taking your lunch to work instead of blowing $5 on a burger.

Or you can can do what I do and go out to eat with a collegue and pretend you forgot your wallet.

Well, here it is. A quick little video that I put together from the day that my family and I went snorkeling.  This is the first time that I really had a chance to use my new video camera and you can tell that I am still getting used to it. The music is from the Jaws soundtrack (appropriate, right?) by John Williams who was totally my hero growing up. I seriously thought I was going to be a movie composer back when I was taking piano lessons.  In fact, I still harbor the idea that someday I will write a score for a movie.  I better get to work on that.

Also, there is a new poll on the right side for you to peruse at your leisure.

You would think I would have more to say after being in Mexico for a week but I have been kind of blah about posting.  I plan on editing the video footage that I shot from the vacation into a quick little 2 minute clip this weekend.  Here’s a promise that I will have it up on YOUTUBE by Monday.  More random observations:

• Cereal makes a good dessert.
• Almost 30% of you enjoyed your visit to Wash DC
• and almost 30% of you would like to go with me. Awesome, let’s go this fall!
• Almost every day for the past month since I quit Fox 4, I get an email from a different viewer telling me that they miss me.  And I appreciate each and every email.  Might have some interesting news on that subject coming up next month.
• If you like Coca Cola branded stuff for your kitchen, I have a bunch of crap I would like to sell.
• Getting motivated to work out is tough.
• My sons and I are hooked on The Next Food Network TV Star.
• Along that same note, I wish I could go to culinary school.
• Shot an industrial video in Plano on Tuesday night from 10pm to 1:30am.  Had fun with the other “Talent” but it totally was not worth it.
• Really enjoyed Wall-E. Movie price was totally worth it.
• Want to see Hancock and Wanted. Plus I want to see Batman but I want to see it in an IMAX theater.

Hey, I made it back from Mexico.  To be more specific, I was just south of Cancun along the Riveria Maya at one of those all-inclusive resorts.   This one was called Moon Palace. And it was niiiiiiice.  If you’ve never been to an all inclusive place, what happens is,  you get a bracelet that you keep on the entire time which entitles you to eat and drink as much as you want for one flat fee.  Including the drinks in your room. You know that little bar in your room that you have always wanted to just ransack but didn’t want to pay $30 for a pint of rum? Well, you can go for it now, baby cause it’s all included in the price.
Why did a I go to Mexico? Why not! Actually, it was for my mom’s 70th birthday. Unfortunately for her, we had a little drama just minutes before we got to the airport.

All the family was packed and in two cars. (sister, niece and husband, nephew, my kids, mom, brother-in law) and we are just about to pull away when we notice that the front door to my mom’s house is open. Nanny (my grandma) is inside waiting for my uncle to come over.  My mom hops out to close the door and when she comes back to the car, she slips and falls and hits her lower back on the curb.  I was driving and I can see it in slow motion as she reaches for the door and just falls flat on her back.  I notice she’s not getting up and I just throw open my door and rush around to see if she’s okay.  Well, my mom is pretty tough and there’s no way she’s going to miss this trip and so she picks herself up and gets in the car and tells me to drive.  The next day, her lower back was bothering so we had the hotel doctor check her out and give her a couple of shots of tequilla (kidding), it was anti-inflammatory medication, and then rented a wheelchair for her so she didn’t have to do much walking.  I don’t have pictures but I do have video which I will edit and share later this week.

Oh and I did get a little crisp on my front side. You would think all that hair on my chest would offer some protection.  Just hug me gently when you see me.

So, remember when I saw the Stones, err, had those kidney stones and the pain was so bad that I went to the emergency room at 4 in the morning even though I didn’t officially have any health insurance?

Yeah, um, I got the bill.

Anybody want to guess? You, in the corner with your hand up. What say you? $500? Ah, if only….

Try $4227.85.

Now, to their credit, the hospital did discount the bill by 30% on account if me not having any insurance and so that drops it down to a still eye opening $2959.50.  Whew. A hair under $3000! That was close. Ooops, wait a second. I just got a second bill from the Consultants in Radiology charging me $356.  I guess we are going over the big 3k after all.

I have already ordered an itemized bill but for now, let’s delve a little bit closer and see how the basic charges break down.

• $118 for the pharmacy.  - I gots no argument with that one. That drug they injected me with was glorious.  In fact, I would have paid double for a take home needle.
• $79 for the lab/urology.  - again, no big deal. It’s lab work. I can respect that. I hated my lab work in college. That’s why I got a C in geology.
• $3090 for the CT Scan. - Ding ding ding. There’s the culprit. I called the hospital billing department and when the lady answered, I said, “Hi, I apparently bought a CT Scanner and so I was wondering when I could come by and pick it up.”   Silence.   Maybe she had heard that joke before?  What justifies a charge of over $3000 for a scan! That doesn’t even include the “consultant” fee.  Are they still paying it off? Is my payment going to allow them to finally repaint it an eggshell white?
• $922 for the emergency room. - Wow, another one that is way too high. They didn’t even have cable in the room. Or a TV.  And I was only in there for less than 2 hours.
• $17.75 for drug/detail code. - I am guessing this is the charge to match up the right drug with the right code? What’s the code for awesome drug that made my pain go away so fast. You know what? I won’t quibble over this one either because I want those codes to match.

So there you go. I will be performing the best traffic reports of 2007 on the corner of  Stemmons and Inwood for the next 3 weekends and passing the hat afterwards to help pay for my delightful 2 hour stay at HEB’s priciest hotel with benefits.

DISCLAIMER: I actually have no complaints about the CARE and TREATMENT that I received. I found everyone very professional and my nurse was understanding and helpful.  I am just a little shell shocked by the bill. Fortunately, I am in a position to be able to file for COBRA benefits, unlike many Americans who don’t have that luxury.   If you have any inside knowledge on why these prices are so high feel free to comment or email me.